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10 Things to Consider When Buying or Selling a Home

1. Take the time to find the right real estate agent. Your agent will be your partner, guide, and advocate through any real estate transaction.  Ask what attributes they bring to the table. What are their plans to either market your home or find you a home?

2. Research the market. Montana is a “non-disclosure” state which means past home sales aren’t required to be disclosed to the public but you can talk to friends or family that just went through the process or look at similar homes in different areas on Zillow.  

3. Buyers, have your financing in place before you start your home search. Pre-approval from a lender allows you to start looking for homes with confidence. And an offer backed by a pre-approval letter is all that more attractive to a seller.  

4. Sellers, clean and stage. Walk into your home and try to look at it as a buyer would. Talk to your agent about staging, clearing and cleaning to make it attractive to all who walk through the door.  

5. What’s your schedule? In today’s real estate market homes often go under contract in a matter of days. Sellers, do you have a place to go if the buyer wants to close in 45 days? Buyers, if your home search takes six months are you able to stay where you are?

6. Watch your social media presence. No matter how discreet you and your agent are, you will be Googled and unfortunate as it is, you should consider how you will be judged by potential buyers or sellers. The safest route may be to forgo social media until closing day.  

7. Don’t be surprised by unexpected expenses. Closing costs, monthly HOA dues, inspections, appraisals. Have a detailed conversation with your lender and your agent to make sure you’re aware of these expenses. 

8. Think beyond the price. You’ve received an offer $20,000 over asking. Congratulations! But the buyer is asking that a slew of repairs be done before closing and they haven’t nailed down financing. Sales price is just one component. Take into account other factors that may cloud the deal in the end. 

9. Don’t panic when you see the inspection. Any good home inspector will be very thorough. Talk to your agent about items in serious need of repair.

Don’t take it personally. Offer rejected? Showings but no bites? Be patient, take a break to talk to your agent and reassess your situation and keep trying.  Success will come!

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